We would also like to thank Dick Sparrer, Mary Ann Cook, Dale Bryant, Gloria Wang, Sandy Sims, Shari Kaplan and Steven DeCinzo of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times for their wonderful articles and clever cartoon.

In addition, we would like to extend our appreciation to all of the people who helped with the memorial on Aug. 25, including Tim Blackwell, Rob Dunne, Brad Tomy, Geoff Frey, Dylan Burke, Johnny Mesa Jr., the band students from Los Gatos High School and the young ladies who volunteered to serve soft drinks out of the snack shack.

John must be pleased with the community service that lives on in Los Gatos.

—Barbara Baggerly and family, Los Gatos


Restaurant owner had lease option

I applaud St. Mary's for locking their fence to keep out dogs.

This letter is a response to the article which appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times on Aug. 28 ("Rent goes up, and town's only Indian restaurant shuts down," by Gloria Wang).

What [Harminder] Parhar failed to disclose to Ms. Wang is that there had not been any increase in Mr. Parhar's rent for several years. In addition, Mr. Parhar failed to disclose to Ms. Wang that he had an option to renew the lease and chose not to. Mr. Parhar let his lease expire. He was offered the opportunity to stay in possession of the restaurant while a new lease was negotiated. Mr. Parhar decided not to negotiate a new lease.

In the article, Mr. Parhar stated that he asked for an extension of his lease. He did not need to ask as he had an option to renew his lease. All Mr. Parhar had to do was exercise his option.

Mr. Parhar is quoted as saying that I am fighting everyone. This is simply not true. What I am attempting to do is to upgrade this shopping center. Any land owner needs the cooperation of his tenants to maintain a first class shopping center.

When Mr. Parhar vacated the premises, I discovered that the condition of the kitchen was deplorable. This is the real story that needs to be told. Why is it that this restaurant was not inspected by the health department in two years? Ms. Wang did not want to spend much time speaking about this issue of much more importance.

—Jim Zanardi, general manager and property owner, Los Gatos


Artwork idea was a real brainstorm

On my second visit in a week to the downtown post office, I was struck anew by the neat artwork hanging on the fencing around the Town Plaza work site. I think there was something in a previous issue of the Los Gatos Weekly—Times about whose idea it was to have the paintings put up there, but I can't remember who—it was a real brainstorm, in any case.

It's been fun to see the different ideas of what Los Gatos is all about. Where will all the paintings go when the Plaza is finished and the fencing comes down? Maybe an exhibit of them all at the Tait Museum, or in the council chambers? It seems too bad not to have a last hurrah for these paintings and their artists.

—Kathy Cusick, Los Gatos


Golf balls are still flying

Your readers may remember our story. We are Mark and Linda, the town residents who continue to endure errant golf shots from the La Rinconada driving range across the street from our home.

Since you published your story about how the town had ordered us to take down our two, low-profile shelters from our driveway, and your editorial stating that we should be able to keep them for our protection, we have appreciated the showing of support from both town residents and even members of La Rinconada, many of whom just came by to tell us they can't understand why the town is taking away these proven safeguards for our family, our friends and our vehicles.

We went to the town council and were given a meeting with the mayor. We were asked to participate in a "monitoring period" by counting and tracking the number of golf balls that we received over a four month period. In that period, 70 golf balls came onto our property, mostly to the driveway. Three balls hit and dented our work truck, the only vehicle not protected by our shelters. And a neighbor, while discussing the subject with us in our driveway, was hit and injured by a ball as well.

We reported these facts to the mayor, vice mayor and the planning director who, after six weeks, wrote back that he does not feel a safety hazard exists and that we still have to take down our shelters that have successfully protected us for the last five years.

We could not believe they would ignore these reported facts, wondering if the "monitoring period" totals we provided them had been lost in the mail! But that couldn't be—we hand-delivered them and confirmed they were received.

Further, even though we have the necessary permit (since 1988) and maintain our annual license to operate our business out of our home, their letter threatens to take away our right to do so because we have chosen to use our garage and park our cars in our driveway.

Many residents use their garages for storage or other purposes and park in their driveway. We have three vehicles and a two—car garage, but, even if our garage was empty, we would likely park in the driveway as we come and go during the day—which is the only time golf balls are being hit on the driving range. Can the town force us all to park in our garages, day and night, even if we choose not to?

The town says we must apply for a code variance and pay the $2,490 application fee for a variance which both a member of the planning department staff and the town attorney have stated would be denied. We operate a small "mom and pop" sign business, and have struggled since Sept. 11. We can't afford that kind of cost, and why should we have to pay anyway? It is the actions of the golf course that created the need for us to put up the shelters in the first place, and now the town is ordering us to take down the only protection we have.

The town also stated that asking the members at La Rinconada to better control their golf shots will resolve the problem! Please, take away our protection and count on that! The only idea they have that might work is the additional planting of "fast-growing" trees, which would still take many years to be effective.

Don't I have the right to protect my family and property and to make a living here? Our original "work out of home permit" (Home Occupation Permit—issued in 1988) states we can work in our garage.

—Mark Medalie, Los Gatos


Singing the praises of unsung heroes

Unsung heroes never hear the music to their ears that being noticed would bring. Unsung heroes are the background music of life's noble moments. Unsung heroes are the bricks of society's foundation. Unsung heroes are the stepping stones of the world's future. Unsung heroes are the caulking in the walls of life's fortress.

Unsung heroes throughout history have labored and served selflessly. Unsung heroes are never praised to their face. Unsung heroes are always overlooked. Unsung heroes are under appreciated. Unsung heroes are the spokes that make up the wheel of life. Unsung heroes deserve something for what they have given.

Unheralded and unknown, unsung heroes have still left their mark: A stamp of dedication.

Many brave souls have given their lives willingly. Many brave souls have sacrificed themselves for the sake of others. Many brave souls have never received their true recognition. Many brave souls have mettle, but not medals. Many brave souls have been passed over by a social order that rewards and glorifies the visible, while ignoring those who suffer in the shadows.

We should all raise our voices high for all the unsung heroes who have lain low for so long.

It would be music to their ears.

—Jeff Coykendall, Los Gatos